Apparatus for capping nails



June 7, 1938.

.L UPTON APPARATUS FOR CAPPING NAQILS Filed Dec. 16, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 at z Y M EU E K u v Jam/y- 5172237.

Eggrfii/ June 7, 1938. v UPTQN 2,119,659

APPARATI IS FOR CAPPING NAILS Filed Dec. 16. 1935 4 Sheets- Sheet 2 June 7, 1938. J M. UPTON 2,119,659

' APPARATUS FOR CAPPING NAILS V Filed Dec.. 16, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet .3

June 7,1938. J.-. M. UPTON' 2,119,659

APPARATUS FOR CAPPING NAILS Filed Dec. 16, 1935 4 Sha ts- Sheet 4 E7 1 0 x V 106 \1 \v I w Z WE Patented June 7, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR CAPPING NAILS John M. Upton, Chicago, 111., assignor to Filshie Lead Head Nail Company, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois I Application December 16, 1935, Serial No. 54,542 15 Claims. (01. -156) This invention relates to fastening means such as nails, spikes and the like and is concerned more particularly with the provision of an improved apparatus for and method of capping such sleeve so as to overlie the head of the nail. A

relatively movable female die structure .comprises a collar of substantially the same inside diameter as the spring pressed sleeve so as to be fasteners with relatively soft metal such as lead. capable of displacing the spring pressed sleeve Nails of this kind are generally used in fastenabout the male die. The movable die structure ing corrugated and other sheet metal .to beams also includes a punch or ram telescopically reand other surfaces, where the heads of the nails ceived in the collar and capable of limited lost are subjected to the action of the weather. The motion therein. As the movable die descends,

LU relatively soft metal cap serves as a means for the collar thereof first displaces the spring- 1 9 not only sealing the nail head from the weather pressed sleeve and thus serves to prevent loss of but also forms a seal between the nail'and the the pellet. portion of the roofing metal surrounding the hole As the descent .of the female die continues, the through which the shank of the nail projects. lost motion is taken up and the ram is forced 1 It is an object of the present invention to proagainst the pellet, which is then forced about the vide an improved apparatus and method of caphead of the nail and assumes the exterior shape ping nails whereby considerable saving in time determined by the opposed surfaces of .the m'ale and expense over previously known apparatuses die and ram and the intervening inner wall of the and methods is effected. collar.

2o It is an object of the invention to provide a As the female die is removed, the cap clings to male die with means for supporting a nail to be the bottom of the collar and, when there is sufficapped and also for supporting a mass of soft cient clearance between the spring-pressed sleeve metal to .be pressed about the cap. and the female die, the ram is movedagain so-as It is another object of the invention to provide to thrust the cap from the associated collar. At

2 a male die formed tosupport a nail to be capped, this point the capped nail is thrust sidewise .by a with means, forming no part of the die structure, deflector, and the nail gravitates nto a bin 01 for retaining a ball or other mass of capping makeg provided at a side for that purpose. Thus terial until such timeas the cooperating diememthe capped nail is prevented from returning to bers are capable of retaining the mass. the lower die from which it was withdrawn.

It is a further object of the invention to pro- Further in accordance with the invention, pro- 3.0

vide a male nail supporting die with a yieldable vision is made for the ejection of any nail which retainer for the capping material, the retainer is defective or for some other reason has rebeing adapted to be displaced by a female die as mained in the lower die. A keg or other suitable the dies are brought together. receptacle is provided forthe reception of such It is also .an object of the invention to provide nails, so that the defective nails are sepa ed 55 a capping die structure comprising die means from the good nails Without thenecessityof a for'removing a capped nail from one of the dies. rigid inspection for this purpose.

It is a further object of the invention to provide In accordance with another form of the invenfor withdrawal of a capped nail from the die in tion, the collar on the upper die may be omitted 40 which the uncapped nail was supported, and to insofar as displacement of the spr -pressed 4.0 dispose of the capped nail in such a manner as sleeve is concerned, and the latter may be to preclude its return to the die from which it allowed to remain in its retaining position so as was removed. to serve as a die element to form the outer peri- In accordance with :the general features of one phery of the cap. With thismodification, when form of the invention, there is'provided a preferthe ram is withdrawn, the nail clings to the 45 ably stationary male die about which is telespring-pressed sleeve. Thereafter the springscopically disposed a spring stressed sleeve pressed sleeve is positively depressed until it :is adapted to extend above the die to provide a reclear of the cap, and thereafter the capped nail ceptacle. The die is preferably formed with a may beejected upwardly from the lower die in 59 hole to receive a blank headed nail, the head a manner heretofore described for the ejection overlying the die adjacent the hole and thus supof defective nails. Of course, it will be appreciporting the nail. A pellet or other mass of relaated that in this form of the invention the nails tively soft .metal such as lead and preferably of so ejected will include defective andgood nails, such volume .as to provide just enough material requiring inspection to determine the one type to form the cap is deposited into the upstanding from the other. e 55 V In accordance with a. still further form of the invention,the spring-pressed sleeve may be dispensed with and instead the lower die element surrounded by a relatively stationary Wall spaced therefrom and extending somewhat thereabove. This portion of the wall extending substantially above the lower die servesas a retaining means for the mass of lead such as a ball fed 'thereinto, so as to hold the ball substantially over the nail supported by the lower die. upper die structure is shaped to engage the mass and telescope within the retaining wall and fit .closely about the'nail die so as to imprison the mass of lead. or the like therewithin and between the lower die and the ram. Thereafter the operation is substantially'the same as that first mentioned above.

One or more of the die elements'maybe suitably formed to impress the desired design in the cap.

other suitable shape independent of the shape of thernail head. I

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as'the description proceeds.

This invention (in preferred forms) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described. I V a Figure 1 is a fragmentary view, partly in sectionand partly in elevation, showing the cooperating die structures after the movable die has commenced its movement toward the stationary die. V I

7 Figure 2 is.a viewsimilar to Figure 1 but shows the die structures at the completion of the nail-,

V capping operation. a

Figure 3 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a capped nail formed of the parts in elevation;

- the upper die structure in means.

in accordance with the invention.

Figure-4 is a view similar to Figure 2'with most Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but shows 7' in addition how the completed nail is ejected.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary View, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing auxiliary ejecting means for anynail s Which,'through defeet, have not been removed upon removal of the movable die mechanism.

Figure '7 is a plan iew of the table carrying the lower die structure and the relative positions of Figure 8 shows the die mechanism in cooperative positions forming a .cap, wherein means is provided to ornament the underside of the cap.

FigureQ is a view. similar, to Figure 2 but of a modified die structure. 7

Figure 10 is a viewsimilar to Figure 2 but of a still further modifiedrform of the invention. V 7 Referring now more particularly to the drawings,there is provided a plate I of generally circular form adapted to be indexed about a central axis 2 to bring successive sets of dies carried thereby into register with complementalv dies formed to cooperate with one set of dies on the plate at any one time. 7 The number of dies to the set may of course be varied as desired, three being employed herein for illustrative purposes; "only, The'plate I is provided with a' peripheral upstanding wall '3.which is 'boredat the upper side thereof as shown at 4 and then counter- ;bored as shown at 5'through to the bottom 6. A sleeve 1 is adapted to fit snugly inzthe'counterbore iand has a reduced neck 8 at its upper end The collar on the.

Fromthe foregoing, it will beobserVed that it is possible to use pellets of the shape of a ball or the auxiliary ejecting to fit in the bore 4, terminating preferably flush with the top 9 of the peripheral flange 3 of the plate I. Telescopically flttedwithin the sleeve I is a second sleeve l0 adapted for sliding engagement with the inner wall ll of the neck 8, and having an outwardly extending lower flange I2 formed for sliding engagement with the interior Wall l3 ofrthe enlarged portion of the sleeve I. The shoulder l5 formed by the neck 8 of the sleeve! provides an abutment engageable with the flange I 2 to limit upward movement of the sleeve l0. 1

It will be'observed that when the sleeve 1 is fitted with the neck 8 thereof disposed in the bore 4, the lower end l6 of said sleeve is somewhat s'paced from the bottom 6 of the plate I. A die member I! in accordance with this invention is provided with a head l8 of a diameter to preferably snugly fit in the counter-bore 5 and is of such depth as to fill the space in the counterbore between the bottom 6 and the bottom I6 of the sleeve I. a stem or reduced portion 19 which is elongated and extends upward within the inner sleeve Inf 2 and somewhat'beyond the top surface 90f the plate flange 3 as shown at 20. It will be observed that the die'mem'ber I! is axially bored at 2I'to receive the shank 22 ofa nail 23 adaptedto be] supported from the top '24 of the die IT, with the head 25 of the nail substantially clear. The head I8 of the die I l is counter-sunk at 26 to provide a flared entranc'erto thebore 2| for guiding the The die member I! is formed with end of a knock-out element as will appear herein- 7 after. 7 r

A spring 2'! is disposed in the annular space fo rmed by the sleeve I, die stem 19, the flange portion I2 of the innersleeve l0 and the head 18 of the die member IT. This spring is under compression and constantly urges the inner sleeve I0 to its topmost position, determined by the engage ment of the flange l2 with the shoulder l5. If

desired, the inner side of the die memberrhead I 8 may be recessed asat w28 to receive one end of the spring( jIt will be observed that the inner sleeve I0 is of such length that when it is at its uppermost oroutermost position, it extends substantially beyond the top of'the top 24 of the die stem I9 was to form a receptacle for receiving the nail capping material as will appear hereinafter. At the bottom 6 of the plate I-isprovi cled a retaining plate 29 held by suitable fastening 'ineans an (Figure 4) accessible whenever desired to enable the plate 29 to be removed and attached. It will be observed that the retaining plate 29 retains the die member l'l; spring 21, sleeve l0 and sleeve 1 within the indexing plate flange 3, the plate 29 being readily removable as will be explained, to permit removal of any or all of the parts mentioned. The plate 29 is provided with an opening 3i adapted to register with' each countersink 26 with substantially the'same flare to assist in the guiding of a knock-out element as will appear hereinafter. a V

The die structure just described is adapted to is accordinglyv provided a bolster structure 32 to withstand this thrust or receive a substantial thrust upon each capping operation. Therepressure, as shown in Figure 4 and elsewhere.

This bolster comprises a base of sturdy substantial construction on which is secured a bar 33 adapted to be substantially slidably engaged with the bottom. of the retaining plate 29. As

stated above, for purposes of illustration only, the' i die structures are provided in sets of'three, 'Accordingly it will be observed that'one retaining |9 of the die l1.

3 wardly projecting end 53 slidably received in -lar 45 and engageable a able 65 plate 29 may be provided for each set of die structures, and has three openings 3| for registering with the respective openings 26 in the die members l1. Also, there may be provided a thrust-receiving bar 33 for each retaining plate 29. The indexed plate or table is adapted to be rotated with respect to the bolster 32 in any desired direction such as that shown by the arrow a. (Figure 'I) Accordingly, to insure proper sliding engagement of the retaining plate 29 over the relatively stationary thrust-receiving bar 33, the approach or meeting ends of the respective members may be bevelled.

After the completion of the die operation, the set of dies I1 is indexed off the bar 33 and may be shifted to a point below which the bolster does not extend, or at which sufiicient clearance under the securing means 30 is afforded to render such means accessible should it for any reason he desired to remove the retaining plate 29 and the die member H or any part or parts associated therewith.

The machine is provided with a suitable frame of which the bolster 32 may form a part, provid- -ing guide posts or standards 36 received in openings 31 in a reciprocating die block 38. The block 38 is provided with depending bearing sleeves 39 of suflicient length to properly guide the block 38 in its reciprocating movement. The die block 38 is provided with lower and upper counter-bores 40 and4| and an intermediate bore 42. Received Within the lower bore 40 is a thrust washer 43 positioned against the shoulder 44 at the upper end of the bore 40. Also received within the bore 40 is a collar 45 stationarily held in place as by a set screw 46 in a position to prevent substantial movement of the washer 43. The collar 45 has at its lower part a bore 41 of such diameter as to slidably telescope over the top part 20 of the stem The collar 45 is counter-bored at 48 above the bore 41, providing a shoulder 49 adjacent said bore, and providing a shoulder 50 on the washer 43 at the other end of the counterbore 48.

A die punch or ram 5| is telescopically received in the block 38 so as to have lost motion within and also move with the block. The punch 5| is provided with a lower die portion 52 slidably fitted in the bore 41 of the collar 45, and an upthe intermediate bore 42 of the block 38, and provided with an intermediate flange 54 engageable with the collar shoulder 49 to determine one limit of movement of the punch 5| relative to the colwith the upper shoulder 50 to determine the other limit of movement of the punch 5| relative to the collar 45. The punch 5| is freely movable within the limits indicated so that when the block 38 is in an elevated position, the flange 54 is caused by gravity to be engaged with the shoulder 49, when the block is prepared to descend in a nail-capping operation.

The die block 38 is reciprocated by any suitmechanism (not shown). When it is in raised position, the sleeve I0 is in its elevated position and is there held yieldably by the spring 21. In this position, the sleeve l0 projects substantially above the top 24 of the lower die stem |9, providing, as heretofore explained, a receptacle. Suitable nail feeding mechanism not forming any part of the instant invention is provided to deposit at station A (Figure '1) a nail at the proper time into the bore 2| in the lower die stem |9. The nail may be of any suitable construction, provision being made either in the nail structure itself or in the die structure for supporting the nail from the die structure in such a manner that the top, outer periphery and underside of the head are free, that is, out of contact with any other part. Such means may take any suitable form, and the means for this purpose herein disclosed are provided for illustrative purposes only.

The means for spacing herein illustrated comprises a tapered shoulder 55 connecting an otherwise preferably substantially flat head 25 to a substantially cylindrical shank 22. The nail shank opening 2| of the die stem I9 is of such formation at the top 24' of the stem as to engage the tapered shoulder substantially below the head 25 so as to leave the upper part of the tapered shoulder as well as the head proper free from contact with any other part.

After the nail has been deposited at the sta tion A (Figure 1), the set of lower dies is indexed to the next station B, where any conventional or other suitable lead mass feeding mechanism may be employed to drop or otherwise deposit a mass of lead or other suitable capping material, in a preferably cold state, in the receptacle provided by the upstanding sleeve l0 extending upwardly beyond the nail head 25. V I

The set of dies carrying the nails and the lead masses thereover is again indexed, stopping at station C, below the die block 38 so that the punches 5| are axially aligned with the die stems |9. Now the block 38 descends, the bottom concave wall 56 of the punch 5|; which projects slightly below the collar 45 due to gravity, entering the sleeve ID at 51 (Figure 1). later, the collar 45 engages the top of the sleeve l0 and depresses the sleeve |9 against the action of the spring 21, until the collar 45 reaches a point substantially below the top 24 of the stem |9, stopping short of the top 9 of the indexing plate flange 3.

Due to the lost motion arrangement of the punch 5| relative to the collar 45, the punch will remain relatively stationary after its engagement with the lead or the like ball 58 or other mass of capping material. The punch 5| will remain stationary until its flange 54 is engaged by the shoulder 50. Said shoulder will then transmit the downward thrust of the block 38 to the punch through its flange 54 and, from the beginning of e such engagement, the punch 5| will move as a 'unit with the block 38.

The commencement of the movement of the punch 5| with the block 38 occurs after the collar 45 has descended slightly below the top 24 of the die stem H). The block 38 is allowed to continue its descent until the punch has compressed the mass from the shape of a ball or other suitable shape to that defined by the concave surface 56, the bore 4'! of the collar 45' and the top 24 of the die stem |9, which is the shape desired.

Upon the completion of the die operation, the block38 is elevated, and aslthe collar 45 rises, the sleeve III also rises in response to the pressure of the spring 21, until the flange i2 abuts the shoulder I5. Aligned with the upper bore 4| in the block 38 is a stationary pin 59. The continued rise of the block 38 results in its bore 4| telescopically receiving the pin 59, and the upper end 53 of the punch 5| is arrested by the pin 59 while the block 38 continues to ascend. Also ascending with the block 38 is the'collar 45, to the bore 41 of which the completed cap- 88 clings. The rising of the collar 45 relative to the A moment from the collar45.

punch 5| results in the The die block 38 reaches its zenith substantially just when the capped nail isreleased by the punchii from the boreof the collar 45. At this point the punch 5| is still capable of a slight descent, until it projects slightlybelow the collar '45. After the release of the nail, there is nothing to 'hold up the punch 5!, which then gravitates V away from the knock-out .pin 59 until its flange V 54 abuts theshoulder 49. lost motion insures against injury which might This slight amount of result otherwise from collision between the knock-out pin 59and the punch 5|;

r The cappednaihnow being free of the collar 45, begins to gravitate freely and would-very likely return to the loweridie ll. Provision, how ever, is made against this. At the side of the block 38, there is arranged a deflecting member 6| which may be itself in the form'of aspring normally pressing against the die block 38 or may be pressed b y' ran auxiliary spring (not shownlagainst the die block. Then the die: block 381s inits-elevated position, the deflector BI is projected between the die block and the plate I so that the gravitating nail isdeflected ing the same.

and 26 previously described now comes intoplay to guide each pin 72 properly into the bore 2i fThis ejector mechanism is aside by the element 6| (Figure *5); andfallsin a lateral I downward path into a keg suitably placed for that purpose. 7

punchs ejecting the When the die block 38 is raised'sufiiciep the table 'I is indexed away; from under the block 38 around to an auxiliary ejecting mechanism at the-station DJ At thisstation, the bolster 32 plurality of downwardly ex- 7 'is provided with a I tending posts 62 (Figurefi) passing through openings '63 in ablock 64 adapted'to reciprocate un s aid posts? The block 64 is supported by a roller 65 at one end of an'actuating arm 66 pivoted at 66a to. abracket arm 662: on the bolstei -132 and having limited oscillatory movement so that when the roller is in its lowermost position, the block'li l'is still mounted on the rods 62. The

' thereof a slight degree.

block carries a rod'fi'l secured at 67a in a bore 7 68 in the bolster '32. Springs 69 are received in cooperating openings 10- and Hip the block 64 and bolster 32, respectively, to cushion the block. and bolster apart. I

The rod 61 carries an ejector pin 12; suitably held in place as by a set screw 13 and adapted to be axially aligned with a die member I? as shown in Figure 6. After the set of dies I7 is properly index'ed to, the stations D, 7 three, dies is positioned over and in axial alignment with each of three ejector pins 12. a It will be observed that eachejector pin 17. extends to a very substantial extent above the rod 6? carry- Each set of flared openings 3| in' the die stem I9.

' arranged to project the pins 12 upwardly through the dies" irrespective of the'presence or absence of capped or othernails in the dies l7. Thus provision'is'made for the ejection of'any nail or,

' nail s which failed to rise with the collars 450i 7 the upper die, block 38.

Any nail so remaining is ejected by the pin '12 into a receptacle #14 whichmay beattached by a bracket 15 or in any other suitable way to the bolster 32. The receptacle 14, it'will be'observed, may be provided with a deflecting surface 16 against which the tops of the ejected nails will strike and be deflected aside, 7 so that they will fall down thechute il forming r part 'of the receptacle,

tioned keg'gr other receivingmeans. ;;As has;

each of the,

into a suitably posi;

\ 119535795. 7 V V v been'pointed out, the nails which do not clingto the collar are slightly defective, and'thus it :will be observed that the nails which are defec-;

tive are automatically separated from the nails which are not defective, That is, the latteigrising with the block 38fafter the die operation, are deflected into one keg, and the former, notris ing with the mock-38, are indexed around, and

ultimately are thrown upward and outrby t he ejecting mechanism at the stationD-into adifferent keg;

The portion 19 0f the block 38 has thei'upper counterbore 4| as shown in Figure 6 for receiving the center one of the set ofQthree knock-out pins 59. Of course, if desired, an upwardly projecting portion 19 could be provided for each of the up wardly projecting portions 53 of the punches 5|, butpreferably it is hollowed out at viole clearance for the end knock-out pins 59 when the top said pins.

adjacent' the tops 53 of the end punches iii in order to proof the portion 19 vertically laps,

' After the operation ofthe auxiliary knock-out mechanism'at station D, and following thecom I plete Withdrawal lot; the pins 172 from therplatef 29,'tne table l-is ind'exed to station A where the blank nails are fedinto the springpressed'sleeves IE to repeatthe cycle as explained above.

7 'It has been mentioned hereinabove that 'jone or more of the die elements may bersuitably de-;

signed to provide either in the, formofan engraving or in' relief any suitable design in the. x

cap. For example, in Figure 8, to fOI'm.,dia-. metrically opposite or otherwise relatively ar-r ranged depressions in the bottom of the cap, pins 8! may be'suitably fastened in each die stem [9 at thev top 24 so as to project upwardly free 82 are preferably substantially spaced from the nail head 25 and tapered shoulder 55 so that the fiowingcapping material maypass into the space between the projecting portions 82 and the adjacent portions of the nail.v The completed cap,

The projecting portions when the'stem I9 is so modified, will have dia-j 7' metrically opposite holes inits bottom surface. These holes or depressions may be of any desired depth but preferably are of. slight depth in order that a suitable amount of capping material may be provided adjacent the under side of the head a of the nail to form an adequate seal between said portions of the nail and the corrugated roofing or other material through which the stem of the nail is to pass, asis'well roofing nailsf The two projecting portions: 82

are to be understood as illustrated herein by way of example, since any suitable numberof such 7 projections may be provided, such as three inan equilateral or other triangular relation, or four or more, or if desired only one may be provided; 1

6D pin-like projections, any other design of pro- Moreover, it is to be appreciated that instead of jection may be provided. Likewise, any design may-be provided at the concavesurface 5601 the punch 5|. The design may be formed as a ,depression' instead of a projection in any of the' Witha' flange 83 at the 'dieparts. V 7 r In accordance withanother form of the inven-;

tion, the table 85 could be bored at 86 and counterbored at its upper part as at 86a. Within the borett, is .slidably received a sleeve Siprovided lower 'part thereof for nown in the art of engagement with a shoulder 89 at the bottom 7 of the bore 36 in the table 85, to limit the upward telescoping movement of the sleeve 81 within'thef 54 table. S tationarily receive'dfwithin the table 85 is a die member having a stem 9| provided with a bore 92 for receiving the nail 23. The sleeve 81 is constantly urged upward by a spring 93, and when in its uppermost position projects substantially above the top 94 of the die stem 9| so as to provide a receptacle for a ball or other shape of mass of lead or other capping material. The counter-bore 85a is of such diameter as to leave an annular space even when the upper part of the sleeve 8'! projects thereinto.

The upper die block 38 in this form of the invention may be substantially the same as that previously described. The only difference involves the formation of the lower part of the collar which for this reason is given a different number, 95. The lower part of the collar is counter-sunk at 96 to a diameter such as to telescopically receive the upper part 9! of the sleeve 81. When the die block 38 reaches its lowermost point, as shown in Figure 9, it will be observed that the lower end of the counter-sunk portion 96 is disposed in the counter-bore 85a in the table 85, there being however a slight clearance to prevent injury, and likewise the part 91 of the sleeve 81 is projected into the portion 96, there being a slight clearance at 98 to prevent injury. The ends of the parts 96 and 91 are suitably flared, as is also the edge of the counterbore 86a so that the parts will telescope together easily.

In this form of the invention, after the ball has been deposited in the upper part 91 of the sleeve 81 the die block descends, the punch 5I being first arrested by contact with the ball of lead or the like while the block and associated washer 43 and collar 95 continue down. The collar 95 proceeds to telescope over the top 91 of the sleeve 81 and when it is slightly telescoped therewith, the washer 43 strikes the punch flange 54 and carries the same downward, the punch 5| forcing the metal of the ball to flow about the head of the nail in the manner previously described. The difference, however, lies in the fact that the sleeve 8'! performs the function of a die insofar as it forms the outer periphery of the cap. The collar 95 in this form of the invention has no nail cap forming function. The lower end 96 of the collar 95 assists in the proper alignment of the parts and, together with the upper part of the table 85, provides desired lateral support to the sleeve 81 during the exertion of the die pressure.

Thereafter, the die block 38 is raised, the nail however remaining within the sleeve 81 by virtue of the friction between the outer periphery of the cap and the bore of the sleeve 81. The lower part 99 of the sleeve 81 engages rollers I00 carried by the fork end I090. of a lever IBI stationarily pivoted at I02 to the table 85. The lever IOI is adapted to be swung by suitable means (not shown) in a direction to depress the sleeve 8'! against the action of the spring 93 until the top 91 of the sleeve is below the cap formed on the nail 23. The table may be indexed away from under the block 38 at any time after the die punch 5| and collar 95 are clear of the die mechanism of the table 85. The table is indexed until the set of dies of which that shown at 9! is one, is at station D, where the mechanism such as that described above (Figure 6) may be employed to dispose of the capped nails.

It is to be appreciated that the spring 93 and the lever I9I may be omitted and the sleeve 8'! made rigid with the table 85, or at least not movably mounted therein, and the knock-out pins I2 relied upon to overcome the resistance between the nail capsand the sleeves 87 in ejecting the nails therefrom into the receptacle I4. With this form of the invention, it is to be appreciated that the knock-out pins 59 are not employed.

In accordance with still another form of the invention (Figure 10), the table I93 has a bore I94 in which is snugly received the stem I55 of a die member I96. The bottom of the table I93 is counter-bored at IN to receive the head I58 of the die member 555. The upper part of the table I93 is also counter-bored at I95 to provide a circumferential inner wall spaced from the stem I55 and projecting thereabove to such an extent as to provide a retainer for a ball (in dotted lines) of lead or the like from which the cap is to be formed.

The die block 38 in this form of the invention may be substantially identical with those previously referred to, but in this form a modified collar III! is employed. The punch 5!, as before, is arranged to have a lost motion with respect to the block 38 and to telescope within the collar IE9. The collar l I!) is formed with its lower end dimensioned to telescope about the stem I55 and within the counter-bore I99 in the table I93.

For the purpose of facilitating guiding, the upper edge of the counter-bore is bevelled as shown at flaring is to enable the surface to cam the ball.

radially toward the axis of the collar IIB from whatever position the ball may be in, within the counter-bore I59 of the table I93. It is quite evident that when the ball is deposited in said counter-bore, it is most likely to take a position where it rests adjacent the periphery of the nail head and engages the wall of the counter-bore However, irrespective of what position the ball may occupy, its movement to a point within the bore H4 of the collar I9 is assured by the provision of the flared lower part I i3 thereof. Said flared portion also facilitates the telescoping of the collar H0 about the die stem I95.

After the collar H9 is first telescoped over the stern I95, the flange 54 of the punch 5i is engaged by the washer 43 and is rammed down so as to cause the material of which the ball is formed to flow into the shape of a cap about the nail head as in the manner first described above.

The capped nail will cling to the wall of the bore II4 as in the first described form of the invention herein and will be elevated therewith. In this form of the invention, the top knock-out pins 59 are employed to release the capped nails from the collars H9, and the deflector means GI are also employed to deflect the gravitating capped nails into the proper keg at a side. After the table is indexed to station D, the auxiliary knock-out elements I2 come into play to ejectv upward into the receptacle 14 any nails which for any reason were not removed from the stem I95 by the collars IIO.

Instead of using deflectors or deflecting means 5|, the axis of movement of the plunger 5! and accordingly the axis of the lower die could be inclined to the vertical, as by sloping upwardly and outwardly from the axis of rotation of the table I. Then, when the pins 59 release the capped nails from the collars 45 or 95, as the case may be, the nails will fall substantially vertically and will thus be precluded from returning to the lower dies.

The nail may be of any desired design but is preferably as illustrated, with a substantial tapered portion '55 free to form a wedge portionhfor facilitating the final driving-in of the capped nail in the corrugated sheet metal roofing or other -material to'be'secured. The wedge portion also tightly wedges in'the opening inthe roofing. to

holdthe 'nail more tightly therein.

The volume of the ball or the 'like'of capping material will not exceed a predetermined amount for'which the mechanisms will be adjusted. The ballsare formed in dies or molds and'are of substantial'uniformity. 'With the apparatus so set,

- I the caps formed will cling to the collars 45 and 95. Should any mass be of insufficient volume. to

cause such clinging, the resulting cap will be defective and the capped nail will remain with and later will be ejected from the lower'die.

Instead of using a nail with a tapered or other shoulder, such as that illustrated herein at 55, the spacing of the head'of the nail from the top of the lower die could be effected in anotherway.

That is, spacing elements such as the pins 8! could project upwardly fromthe-top of the lower 'die to an extent equal tothe thickness. of lead which is to be formed under the head of the nail.

The nail couldbe' of the common type comprising 7 merely'a head and a shank joined directly to the ,head at the bottom surface thereof. That is, the I head could be in the form of a substantially flat disc, and the shanks could'be of generally cylindrical form and extend directly from one surface of thedisc. Thus, when the nail shankis dropped into the lower die, the pins will automatically ar' rest the'head of the nail at the correct distance fromthe top of the lower die to insure the proper thickness of lead being forced under the head of V the nail. Such pins will of course be ,of suitable strength to withstand the die pressure and may be made of steel or other metal or suitable alloy.

' 'form'may be employed.

.In the fabrication of nails of the type illustrated embodying a a tapered shoulder, it may sometimes occur that the shoulder is made too small, so that the head of the nail may engage or be disposed too close to the top of the lower die to insure a proper thickness of lead under the head.

Provision against such a contingency may be made by the use of pins such as those shown at 8|,projectihg upwardly from the die an extent equal to the'minimum permissible thickness of capping material under thenailhead, These pins or other suitable spacing means would be V, arranged to engage the lower side of the head, or

adjacent portion of the shoulder on any nail- Whose shoulder is too small, and thus space the under L'si'de of thenail head the proper distance from the top of thelow er die to insure the entry of V a proper thickness of capping material such as 7 lead.

' The number and arran g ement di pm's 8T inaccordance with the iforms just refe'rr'ed to may-be varied as desiredl'as set'forth above in connection with the form illustr ated'inFigiiife s.

.I am aware that many changes fi'iaybe' made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and Litherefor,

do not :purposelimiting'thepatent grantedheree on otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

Iclaim as follows: 1. In a machine for capping nails and other fastening elements, a male die formed tosupport "-5 a blank element, a female die cooperative there--' with to press capping material onto the element;

said female die having a peripheral wall to which the capped element may cling upon separation of said dies, means for releasing the capped element '10 from the female'die and auxiliary means'for ejecting from the'male die tmyoappedselement not separated from this malepdie by the female die. a

V 2. In a machine for capping nails andiotherdfi fastening elements, a male die iormedto support a blank element, a iem'ale die cooperativetherewith to press capping material onto the element, saidfemale die having a peripheral wall to which the capped element may cling upon separation 'of' 20 said dies, and means for ejecting from the male die any capped element not separated from the male die by thefemale die. 1

'3; In a machine .forcapping nails and other A fastening elements; a die formed to supportja'fifi blank element, a die cooperative therewith to press capping material onto the element, one'of said dies having a peripheral'wall to which the V capped element may clingupon separation or said dies, means for releasingthe capped element 3'0 from said wall and auxiliary means for ejecting from the otherdie'any capped element not clinging to said one die.

4. In a capping machine for nails and other fastening elements, means defining a chamber, a3'5 die mounted in said chamber. and projecting beyond theupper end thereof, a sleeve surrounding the upper'end of said die and extending into said chamber, yielding means -Within said. chamber and engaging said sleeve for urging the same up- '40 wardly, said sleeve and the wall" of saidchame her having cooperating shoulders engageable with each other for limiting the upward movement of said sleeve, said sleeve projecting above said die when said shoulders are engaged, providing a 'reh1g5 ceptacle for capping material, and a die forcoopcrating with said first mentioned die. 7 V

5. A capping machine for nails and like fastening elements, comprising a die formed to support I an element blank, displaceable means for sup-.550

porting capping material in engagement with an end of. the blank, die means complementary to said die, said die and die meansbeing relatively approachable to such an extent as to completely displace the first means from the capping mate-"'55 rial and form the material into a cap about said end. .1' 6, A capping machine forfnails and'like fa's-' V teningelements, comprising a die formed to support" an element"=bl ank', means for support- 1 ing capping. material in. engagement with an end of the blank, means for separating the material from the first means and formedto embrace sai-d die, anda die cooperating with the first die .and; the second means for pressing the material into 6 a cap'about saidend. .1

.7. A'cappingmachine for nails and like fastening elements, comprising a die for supporting an element blank, means spacedfrom said 'die for-"receiving and retaining capping material on an' end'of the blank, and a recessed die structure formed to telescope said-idle and having a. flared inner" surface 'en'gageablewith said material for displacing said material inwardly from saidre- -h;

tain'ing means to imprison said material within said die structure.

8. A capping machine for fastening elements, comprising a die formed to support anelement blank, means for supportinga ball of capping material in engagement with an end of the blank, and'complement'ar f die means recessed to receive the ball and said die and cooperating with said die independently of the first means in pressing the ball into a cap about said end.

9. In a machine for capping fastening elements and the like, a die formed to support an element blank, means for retaining capping material over an end of the blank, a reciprocal head, a die mounted in said head for limited reciprocal movements and cooperative with said head and first die in pressing the capping material over said end, means for engaging said reciprocal die during movement of said head in a direction away from the first die for ejecting a capped element clinging to said head, and means movable in the path of the ejected element for defiecting the same.

10. A hollow die having an imperforate inner side wall, a stem die telescoped in said hollow die and having an imperforate surface transverse to said wall and forming with the interior surface of said hollow die a substantially imperforate cup, another stem die slidably engageably axially within said wall in juxtaposition with the first stem die to define with the hollow and first stem dies a space for receiving a mass of relatively soft capping material together with the head of a fastening element, the second stem die having an axial passage to receive the shank of the element, said stem dies being relatively approachable within said hollow die and cooperating with said interior surface to force the mass to fiow and enclose the element head, said'second stem die and said hollow die being completely separable from each other, and said first stem die and said hollow die being relatively movable in such directions as to completely eject the head-enclosed element from said hollow die.

11. Capping apparatus for fastening elements and the like, comprising a hollow die having an imperforate cylindrical inner side wall, a second die telescopically fitted axially in said hollow die and having an imperforate concave end surface forming with the interior surface of said hollow die a substantially continuous cylindrical round bottomed recess, a third die having an end arranged to telescopically fit in said recess in opposed relation to the seconddie and having an axial passage for receiving the shank of, a

headed fastening element, said end being reducedat its outer periphery to define between said inner side wall and said end an annular pocket, the second and third dies being relatively approachable' so that when a mass of relatively soft material and the head of the fastening element are disposed in the hollow die and between the second and third dies, the mass is distorted into a substantially smooth crowned skirted cap substantially enclosing the head of the fastening element.

12. Capping apparatus for fastening elements and the like, comprising a hollow die having an imperforate cylindrical inner side wall, a second die telescopically fitted axially in said hollow die and having an imperforate concave end surface forming with said cylindrical wall a' substantially continuous cylindrical round bottomed recess, a third die having an end arranged to telescopically fit in said recess in opposed relation to-the second dieand having an axial passage for receiving the shank of a headed fastening element, said end being reduced at its outer pe'-' riphery to define between said inner side wall and said end an annular pocket, the second and third dies being relatively approachable so that when a mass of relatively soft material and the head of the fastening element are disposed in die telescopically fitted axially in said hollow die and having an imperforate concave end surface forming with the interior surface of said hollow die a substantially continuous cylindrical round bottomed recess, a third die havingran end arranged to telescopically fit in said recess in opposed relation to the second die and having an axial passage for receiving the shank of a headed fastening element, said end being reduced at its outer periphery to define between said inner side wall and said end an annular pocket, the second and third dies being relatively approachable so that when a mass of relatively soft material and the head of the fastening element are disposed in the hollow die and between the second and third dies, the mass is distorted into a substantially smooth crowned skirted cap substantially enclosing the head of the fastening element, said third die being separable from said hollow die away from the cap and said second die being movable against the crown of the cap to expel the capped element from the hollow die.

14. A hollow die having an imperforate inner side wall, a stem die telescoped in said hollow die said hollow die a substantially imperforate cup,

another stem die slidably engageable axially within said wall with an end of said other stem die in juxtaposition with the first stem die to define with the hollow and first stem dies a space for receiving a mass of relatively soft capping material together with the head of a fastening element, the second stem die having an axial passage to receive the shank of the element, said stem dies being relatively approachable within said hollow die and cooperating with said interior surface to force the mass to flow and enclose the head, the inner periphery of said end being disposed adjacent the head when the shank is so received and being enlarged to form said ma terial into a skirt embracing the shank, said second stem die and said hollow die being completely separable from each other, and said first stem die and said hollow die being relatively movable in such directions as to completely eject the headenclosed element from'said hollow die.

15. A hollow die having an imperforate inner side wall, a stem die telescoped in said hollow die and having an imperforatesurface transverse to said wall and forming with the interior surface of said hollow die a substantially imperforate cup, a second stem die slidably engageable axially fine with the hollow and first stem dies a space for receiving a mass of relatively soft capping" material together with the head of a fastening element, said second stem die having an axial I passage to receive the shank of the element, said stem-dies being relatively approachable within said-hollow. die and cooperating with said interior surface to forge the mass to flow and enclose the 7 head, the inner periphery of said end being en larged and the outer periphery of said end being reduoeito form saidmaterial into an inner skirt embracing the shank and an outer skirt, said'sec- 0nd stem die and said hollow die being completely separable from each other, and said first stem die and said hollow die being relatively movable in such directions as' to completely eject the headenclosed element from said hollow die.

JOHN M. UP'ION. 

